Friends –

It has come to my attention that information is in the public that may not be accurate in regards to the tentative library budget. I would like to share some facts as to how we have got to the point we are at. I can assure you that the Commission is looking at options for keeping ALL branches open. This includes some that will be on the BOCC (Board of County Commissioners) agenda next Thursday. I can also assure you that the BOCC approved a budget during Budget Hearings that we were told would reduce hours BUT NOT CLOSE ANY BRANCHES. As a personal statement I would also like to say that I oppose any plan that closes some branches while leaving others open. I do not believe in a process that cherry picks one branch over another.

Library Budget Facts

NOTE: At present there are 5 libraries in Lyon County: Fernley, Dayton, Silver Springs, Yerington and Smith Valley.

NOTE: Services such as libraries, cemeteries, parks and senior centers are non-mandated. This means that according to NRS (or county code) they MAY be part of the county but it is not required. Other services, such as the District Attorney (NRS 252) or Facilities (NRS 244.265) are mandated therefore required by law.

On Wednesday April 3, 2013 budget hearings were held by the Lyon County BOCC with staff in an public/open meeting.

Theresa Kenneston, Library Director, represented the Lyon County Library System.

The requested budget submitted by library staff was for $685,436.

NOTE: 2012/2013 budget was set at $682,680.

During discussions there were some minor, additional cuts discussed.

Commissioner Arellano stated that he had expected more in the way of cuts. He suggested the Director return the following day with budget cuts amounting to $300,000 to “see what that looks like”.

On Thursday April 4, 2013 the Director returned to the BOCC Budget hearings.

The Director stated that she was unable to reduce the budget by the $300,000 requested. Instead it was reduced it by $156,628.

The Director made clear that she was not offering the cuts as much as they were requested.

The Director then shared what services (i.e: story time, etc.) would be eliminated based on the reductions.

The BOCC was also presented a revised schedule for each location. This included reduced hours BUT ALLOWED ALL BRANCHES TO REMAIN OPEN.

Proposed revised open hours: Yerington 18, Fernley 18, Dayton 18, Silver Springs 14, Smith Valley 12

On Thursday evening the BOCC approved a tentative budget for Lyon County. The budget included:

- The revised Library budget the with the $156,628 in reductions

- The inclusion of the Property Tax Increase

NOTE: The Property Tax Increase that was approved was for 6.43 cents per $100 of accessed value. This was the maximum allowed by NRS. The BOCC has no additional option to increase taxes.

On Tuesday April 9, 2013, I was told by a third party, that Director Kenneston appeared at the Library Board meeting. It was discussed that the proposed budget presented to the BOCC was not doable. Based on the BOCC approved Library Budget the net result would likely cause at least two branches to be closed.

The same information was transferred to county staff by the Director. The most likely locations discussed for closure were Silver Springs, Smith Valley and possibly Dayton.

The BOCC is now looking to options that would allow for all locations to remain open including those agendized for the April 18, 2013 BOCC meeting. The meeting will be held at 9:00 AM in the Commissioners chambers in Yerington.



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Bob Hastings
Lyon County Commissioner - District 1
www.bobhastingsnv.com
email: ninergold3@gmail.com
775-315-7827